BALA CYNWYD, Pa., Aug 04, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----Central European Distribution Corporation (Nasdaq: CEDC) today announced its results for the second quarter of 2008. Net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased by 57% to $421.3 million from the $268.6 million reported for the same period in 2007. Operating income increased by 70% to $42.8 million from $25.1 million for the same period in 2007.

On a comparable basis, CEDC announced net income of $24.3 million, or $0.56 per fully diluted share, for the second quarter of 2008, as compared to $13.7 million, or $0.34 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2007. Net income, on a U.S. GAAP basis (as hereinafter defined) for the second quarter was $46.8 million or $1.08 per fully diluted share, as compared to a net income of $19.9 million or $0.49 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2007. Generally, the major difference between the U.S. GAAP net income and comparable non-GAAP net income reflects unrealized foreign exchange movements relating to our Senior Note Financing. For a reconciliation of comparable net income to net income reported under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), please see the section "Unaudited Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures". The weighted average number of shares used for calculating diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2008 was 43.3 million.

Some of the Company's key financial highlights for the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007 include the following:

 -- Sales up 57 % -- Gross margin up to 24.6% from 20.7% -- Operating income up 70% --
   Comparable net income up 77% 

William Carey, President and CEO commented, "With the first full quarter of consolidation of our Parliament business and approximately one month of earnings from our Whitehall operations we are pleased to see continuing strong underlying growth trends in our overall business. The margin accretion from these Russian investments, as well the approximately 25% increase in sales, are having a significant impact on our operating performance as evidenced by our gross margin increase from 20.7% to 24.6% and strong net income performance. "

Mr. Carey continued, "We continue to see double digit growth coming from our key vodka brands in Poland, led by strong performance from our premium vodka brand Bols. We also continue to see strong consumer demand for imported wines and spirits with sales of our import portfolio up over 40% as compared to the second quarter last year. The strong Polish currency has contributed to keeping our raw material prices down, especially our main cost component, raw spirit."

Mr. Carey went on to say, "On July 9th 2008, we closed our 42% investment in the Russian Alcohol Group (the largest vodka producer in Russia) which has positioned our company to take full advantage of the strong growth trends in the mainstream and sub-premium vodka sectors in Russia. We look forward to working with Lion Capital to improve the operating performance of the Russian Alcohol Group and to address potential synergies between our operations."

Mr. Carey concluded, "As a result of our strong second quarter performance, we are raising our full year 2008 net sales guidance from $1.57-$1.70 billion to $1.65-$1.80 billion and our full year comparable fully diluted earnings per share guidance from $2.65-$2.80 to $2.75-$2.95. We plan to update our full year 2009 guidance in the fall of this year, based on the ongoing performance of our business."

CEDC has reported net income and fully diluted net income per share in accordance with GAAP and on a non-GAAP basis, referred to in this release as comparable non-GAAP net income. CEDC's management believes that the non-GAAP reporting giving effect to the adjustments shown in the attached reconciliation provides meaningful information and an alternative presentation useful to investors' understanding of CEDC's core operating results and trends. CEDC discusses results and guidance on a comparable basis in order to give investors better insight into underlying business trends from continuing operations. CEDC's calculation of these measures may not be the same as similarly named measures presented by other companies. These measures are not presented as an alternative to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a performance measure, and you should not place undue reliance on such measures. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures can be found in the section "Unaudited Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" at the end of this press release.

CEDC is the largest vodka producer in Poland and produces the Absolwent, Zubrowka, Bols and Soplica brands, among others. CEDC currently exports Zubrowka to many markets around the world, including the United States, England, France and Japan. CEDC also produces and distributes Royal Vodka, the top selling vodka in Hungary, and produces Parliament Vodka, the leading premium vodka in Russia.

CEDC also is the leading national distributor of alcoholic beverages in Poland by value, and a leading importer of alcoholic beverages in Poland and Hungary. In Poland, CEDC imports many of the world's leading brands, including brands such as Carlo Rossi Wines, Concha y Toro wines, Metaxa Brandy, Remy Martin Cognac, Guinness, Sutter Home wines, Grant's Whisky, Jagermeister, E&J Gallo, Jim Beam Bourbon, Sierra Tequila, Teacher's Whisky, Campari, Cinzano, Skyy Vodka and Old Smuggler.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of CEDC to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. CEDC undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required to do so by the securities laws. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties included in CEDC's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, and in other documents filed by CEDC with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 Contact: Jim Archbold, Investor Relations Officer Central
   European Distribution Corporation 610-660-7817 CENTRAL EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
   (UNAUDITED) June 30, December 31, 2008 2007 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $365,182 $87,867 Accounts receivable,
   net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $31,814 and $29,277 respectively 325,934 316,277 Inventories 210,994 141,272 Prepaid
   expenses and other current assets 29,723 16,536 Deferred income taxes 8,349 5,141 Total Current Assets 940,182 567,093 Intangible
   assets, net 772,982 545,697 Goodwill, net 1,026,191 577,282 Property, plant and equipment, net 121,022 79,979 Deferred income
   taxes 8,449 11,407 Equity method investment in affiliates 53,534 - Other assets - 710 1,982,178 1,215,075 Total Assets $2,922,360
   $1,782,168 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Trade accounts payable $208,997 $172,340 Bank loans and
   overdraft facilities 226,917 42,785 Income taxes payable 6,688 5,408 Taxes other than income taxes 91,193 101,929 Other accrued
   liabilities 189,213 71,959 Current portions of obligations under capital leases 2,254 1,759 Total Current Liabilities 725,262
   396,180 Long-term debt, less current maturities 30,168 122,952 Long-term obligations under capital leases 3,648 2,708 Long-term
   obligations under Senior Notes 655,889 344,298 Other long-term accrued liabilities 15,000 - Deferred income taxes 163,852
   100,113 Total Long Term Liabilities 868,557 570,071 Minority interests 12,614 481 Stockholders' Equity Common Stock ($0.01
   par value, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 46,443,700 and 40,566,096 shares issued at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively)
   464 406 Additional paid-in-capital 752,620 429,554 Retained earnings 270,525 205,186 Accumulated other comprehensive income
   292,468 180,440 Less Treasury Stock at cost (246,037 shares at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007) (150) (150) Total Stockholders'
   Equity 1,315,927 815,436 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $2,922,360 $1,782,168 CENTRAL EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION
   CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (Amount in columns expressed in thousands, except share and per share
   information) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Sales $542,845 $334,150
   $950,926 $623,146 Excise taxes (121,543) (65,515) (216,004) (126,296) Net Sales 421,302 268,635 734,922 496,850 Cost of goods
   sold 317,564 213,081 564,968 394,978 Gross Profit 103,738 55,554 169,954 101,872 Operating expenses 60,895 30,405 101,643
   57,807 Operating Income 42,843 25,149 68,311 44,065 Non operating income/ (expense), net Interest(expense), net (13,297) (8,305)
   (24,825) (16,954) Other financial income/ (expense), net 32,000 9,837 41,103 (5,562) Other non operating income/(expense),
   net (282) (1,670) (142) (2,014) Income before taxes 61,264 25,011 84,447 19,535 Income tax expense 12,868 4,714 17,266 3,685
   Minority interests 2,491 326 2,744 1,055 Equity in net earnings of affiliate 902 - 902 - Net income $46,807 $19,971 $65,339
   $14,795 Net income per share of common stock, basic $1.10 $0.50 $1.57 $0.37 Net income per share of common stock, diluted
   $1.08 $0.49 $1.54 $0.37 CENTRAL EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (UNAUDITED)
   Amount in columns expressed in thousands) Six months ended June 30, 2008 2007 Operating Activities Net income $65,339 $14,795
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization
   7,331 4,772 Deferred income taxes 1,576 (6,245) Minority interests 2,743 1,055 Unrealized foreign exchange (gains) / losses
   (39,958) (6,172) Cost of debt extinguishment 1,156 11,869 Stock options expense 1,678 948 Equity income (902) - Other non
   cash items (32) 566 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 59,431 50,722 Inventories (21,533) 2,315
   Prepayments and other current assets 14,211 1,579 Trade accounts payable (11,628) (48,361) Other accrued liabilities and payables
   (29,258) (7,798) Net Cash provided by Operating Activities 50,154 20,045 Investing Activities Investment in fixed assets (6,172)
   (13,967) Proceeds from the disposal of fixed assets 2,694 2,647 Refundable purchase price related to Botapol acquisition -
   5,000 Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (366,075) (133,992) Net Cash used in Investing Activities (369,553)
   (140,312) Financing Activities Borrowings on bank loans and overdraft facility 71,593 132,524 Payment of bank loans and overdraft
   facility (24,158) (17,315) Payment of Senior Secured Notes (14,445) (95,440) Movements in capital leases payable 816 291 Issuance
   of shares in public placement 233,846 42,355 Net Borrowings on Convertible Senior Notes 304,403 - Options exercised 1,068
   547 Net Cash provided by Financing Activities 573,123 62,961 Currency effect on brought forward cash balances 23,591 2,939
   Net Increase / (Decrease) in Cash 277,315 (54,367) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 87,867 159,362 Cash and
   cash equivalents at end of period $365,182 $104,995 CENTRAL EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF
   NON-GAAP MEASURES (in thousands, except share and per share information) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June
   30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 GAAP net income/(loss) $46,807 $19,971 $65,339 $14,795 A. Foreign exchange impact related to outstanding
   Senior Notes (25,145) (7,772) (32,366) (5,047) B. Other acquisition related costs 390 762 659 1,045 C. Cost associated with
   early retirement of debt 548 9,609 D. Impact of expensing stock options 738 392 1,358 752 E. Other non recurring costs 1,461
   307 1,461 307 Comparable non-GAAP net income $24,251 $13,660 $36,999 $21,461 Comparable net income per share of common stock,
   basic $0.57 $0.34 $0.89 $0.41 Comparable net income per share of common stock, diluted $0.56 $0.34 $0.87 $0.40 

Comparable measures are provided as additional information as management believes this information provides investors with better insight on underlying business trends and results in order to evaluate ongoing financial performance. Descriptions of these items are presented below:

A. Represents the net after tax impact of the foreign currency revaluation related to our Senior Secured Notes and Senior Convertible Notes as these borrowings have been pushed down to entities that have the Polish Zloty as the functional currency. The impact of foreign exchange revaluation will change, which may have a material effect on our financial results.

B. Represents other miscellaneous costs, directly related to the tender for additional shares of Polmos Bialystok and other acquisitions in 2007 and pre-acquisition financing costs related to the Parliament acquisition in 2008.

C. Represents the net after tax impact associated with the early retirement of 20% of CEDC's outstanding Senior Secured Notes, including an 8% one-time redemption premium payment to the Noteholders and write-off of prepaid financing costs in 2007 and costs associated with retirement of $14 million of the Senior Secured Notes in 2008.

D. On January 1, 2006 CEDC adopted SFAS 123(R) and began to expense stock options. This amount represents the net after tax impact of the expensing of stock options.

E. On June 30, 2008, CEDC terminated operations of the German import business acquired as part of the Parliament acquisition and in July 2008, moved all German import operations to a 3rd party importer. The $1.461 million represents the net loss incurred by the discontinued operation for the 3 months ended June 30, 2008. For 2007, the amount represents one time charges for an early retirement program.

 Full Year Guidance, 12 Months Ending December 31, 2008
   2009 Range for GAAP Fully Diluted Earnings per Share $3.42 $3.68 $3.62 $3.93 A. Foreign exchange impact related to outstanding
   Senior Notes (0.76) 0.00 B. Other acquisition related costs 0.02 0.00 C. Cost associated with early retirement of debt 0.01
   0.00 D. Impact of expensing stock options 0.03 0.07 E. Other non-recurring items 0.03 Range for Comparable non-GAAP Fully
   Diluted Earnings per Share $2.75 $3.75 $2.95 $4.00 

Comparable measures are provided as additional information as management believes this information provides investors with better insight on underlying business trends and results in order to evaluate ongoing financial performance. Descriptions of these items are presented below:

A. Represents the net after tax impact of the foreign currency revaluation related to our Senior Secured Notes and Senior Convertible Notes as these borrowings have been pushed down to entities that have the Polish Zloty as the functional currency. The impact of foreign exchange revaluation will change, which may have a material effect on our financial results.

B. Represents pre-acquisition financing costs related to the Parliament acquisition in 2008.

C. Represents the net after tax costs associated with retirement of $14 million of the Senior Secured Notes in 2008.

D. On January 1, 2006 CEDC adopted SFAS 123(R) and began to expense stock options. This amount represents the net after tax impact of the expensing of stock options.

E. On June 30, 2008, CEDC terminated operations of the German import business acquired as part of the Parliament acquisition and in July 2008, moved all German import operations to a 3rd party importer. The $1.461 million represents the net loss incurred by the discontinued operation for the 3 months ended June 30, 2008.

SOURCE Central European Distribution Corporation

http://www.cedc.com.pl
   

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved